Outback Bush Jacket

Originally introduced in Fall 1984 as an Italian Canvas Bush Jacket, it was renamed The Outback Bush Jacket in the Fall 1985 “Notes from the Outback” catalogue. Its got so many marvelous details, like a throat latch, reinforced elbows, huge bellows pockets and a drawstring waist and of course, the angled chest pockets (possibly angled in the original for easy reach of ammunition cartridges).

From the Fall 1985 catalog. “Inspired by an Italian Field Jacket, this dashing design even has chest pockets set at a rackish angle. Who but an Italian tailor (from Pisa) would create such stylishly leaning pockets? In a rare practical moment, he added reinforced elbows and generous bellows pockets at the hips with another pair of pockets inside them. In outback cloth for men and women.”

A few years ago the surplus Italian Army Italian Field Jacket mentioned as the inspiration for the jacket appeared on eBay, so we can compare the two…